PHOENIX — Just when you thought the Rockies’ road trip couldn’t get any worse. Add injury to ineffectiveness. After the Rockies took their first lead in 32 innings Tuesday, Franklin Morales came up lame while warming up for the bottom of the third inning. He appeared to be favoring his left throwing shoulder slightly as he exited the field with the trainers. He was diagnosed with a strained left shoulder, and is listed as day-to-day.

For Morales, it represents a setback. He pitched his way into the rotation in spring training, won his first start and earned a trip back with a successful Triple-A outing. Now he appears to be battling his first arm injury. The Rockies’ likely replacement would be Jason Hammel. He pitched in Tampa Bay’s rotation all spring, and it shouldn’t take him long to build up arm strength. Manager Clint Hurdle talked Tuesday before the game of eventually giving him a shot in that role.

If Hammel goes into the rotation — again this is all hypothetical speculation at this point — a Triple-A reliever would be summoned to fill his spot in the bullpen.